I am looking to buy my first quad. Among other things I would like one that performs good in snow. What options would make performance in snow better? Many of the quads I've used in snow really flounder, though i don't really expect them to operate as good as a sled. I would love one of the bigger machines, but budget and family with kids suggest I stick nearer the 400-455 size. Would after market tires or IRS help.

 

quads are not the best in snow its lots of fun but you lose a lot of speed in the snow
if theres lots of powder padle tires might work the best in the snow
there isn't really a quad made for snow where else you going to be riding a z400 might be a nice choice
-cory

 

Three things I would look at:

1) Tires: the more aggressive the tires, the better it should move through snow (and mud, and sand, and everything else...)
2) Ground clearance: the more ground clearance you have, the less likely it is you'll get "buried" in a snow drift.
3) Four wheel drive. Having it is important for snow, and the true 4WD systems like Polaris has (not sure if anyone else has them) will be best.

This doesn't mean one brand is better than any other, though... you could probably find a model from every manufacturer that would work fine. Just try to find the model that rates highest in these criteria. I don't know much about any brands other than Polaris, but something like a Sportsman 400 or 500HO would suit you just fine... Aggressive stock tires (Goodyear Rawhide), tons of ground clearance (11.25"), and their On-Demand True 4-Wheel Drive. I'm sure someone else could recommend a comparable model from Honda, Yamaha, etc.

As for IRS... all by itself, I can't see any direct advantage it would offer in snow, but what it will do indirectly is increase your ground clearance, which is a definite plus.

 

Thanks guys,

I am not dedicated to any brand, just want one that runs great. Things i will be getting are

-4WD
-something with an aggresive tire or buying good aftermarket ones
-good clearance (depends on other factors for the model I coose too)
-would get some chains (ideas on the diff. types available would be appreciated). I imagine chains would only be good for low speeds, like on a truck.

Some things I'm thinking
-IRS because rear axle wouldn't become a plow
-windsheild to cut the cold air flow (any thoughts here?)

I would buy a sled, but often snow is not good enough around here in winter, and I would have the quad anyway for the rest of the year.

We will be more inclined to spend time out at our rec. property if it were more of a rear round thing. Our land is completely surrounded on 3 sides for many miles by crown land (not sure what it is called in the US, is owned by feds basically, and some is leased but accessible).

Another use for this machine would be to push snow and pull stuff around.

 

If you're really concerned about performance in snow and are going to talk accessories... definitely get the windshield (the bigger the better, even if it isn't pretty), definitely get the tire chains, definitely get heated grips, and definitely get handguards. I'd say to add a pair of long underwear as well, but I'm guessing you've already got some of them way up there in Canada.

 

LOL @ Munzzzzzzz,

Way ahead of you with that long john's idea. Got 'em on 24/7 these days.

'Scuse my ignorance, but as am looking for my first machine I have lots of details to learn. Are the heated handgrips a stock thing, or best to get aftermarket. Would it be worth having 2 sets of tires? One for snow, the other for the rest of the year? Or is there one that would be a good comprimise for year round (this would be prefered).

 

I don't think heated grips come stock on any ATV, but I think most if not all manufacturers sell them as factory accessories. Polaris sells hand grip warmers for about $40, thumb warmers for about $30, and hand guards for about $50. For under $150, you can keep your hands warm and toasty all day long.

As for the best tires... I don't really know. I've heard that the High Lifter Outlaws and ITP 589's are some of the best mud tires out there... but I'm not sure how much performance in mud relates to performance in show. Maybe someone else with more knowledge on that subject can chime in here.

 

Check out the Kawasaki and Honda forums, ask them the same questions.
There is allot of them that live up your way and they ride in the same condisions.

 

Don't waste your money on heated grips and hand guards. Instead order a pair of heated, waterproof, windproof gloves from Gerbing's Heated Clothing. They offer the best in heated clothing for motorcyclists. I use several items from them and they offer great products and lifetime warranty. You will likely want a snowmobile helment with dual payne visors to prevent fogging and thin balaclava to wear over your head and under the helment.

 

BushWhacked,

Does Gerbing have a website or is there somewhere I can get a catalog from? I've heard of heated socks and heated boots but never heated gloves... I may have to get me a pair of those. Was out riding yesterday in ~10 degree weather... even gloves with double liners didn't keep my fingers toasty warm.